Mosswood residents still waiting to see eyesore torn down

Lauren Hutton

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, April 6, 2004

More than a year ago, they claim, Montgomery County officials promised to tear down the townhomes, located at the entrance to their subdivision just south of Conroe. The six-unit row of townhomes burned in July 2001.

Pat Buzbee, the county's Environmental Health director, said to avoid any lawsuits, the county must exhaust the legal system before doing anything to the buildings.

Buzbee said he expects a solution in the next month or two.

"The people of Mosswood think commissioners (and county employees) have come close to telling a lot of baldfaced lies," Ed Fitzpatrick, a Mosswood resident, said during Monday's Commissioners Court meeting. "It's been three years."

Buzbee, however, said the county finally has tracked down most of the unit owners to notify them of the units' condition, as required before tearing down what's left of the units.

"That property has changed hands so many times, it is hard to keep track," he said. "The holdup right now is an owner in Reno, Nevada."

Buzbee said a certified letter was sent to the Nevada owner at the end of March. The owner has 30 days to reply.

"If he does not reply and request a hearing, we will post a legal notice in the paper," Buzbee said. "If the owner does not respond (to the legal notice) in 10 days, we will move forward by opening up a bid for someone to tear it down.

"I am just as anxious as those folks. It has been a nightmare."

Simone Haden, who lives in one unit and owns two more, said her units received minimal smoke and water damage and would remain standing.

Haden said she has faith in the Environmental Health Department to resolve the situation.

Buzbee said the owners of the remaining two units did not respond to certified letters or legal notices in the allotted time, enabling the county to raze the dilapidated, soot-covered buildings unless the Nevada owner schedules a hearing.

In that case, it may take longer, but the county might be able to get some of the estimated $3,000 cost to tear it down.

"I do not think they will respond," Buzbee said.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal, who represents the area, said he would help push for a resolution.

"We are tied to certain things we have to do before we tear it down to protect the county from being held liable," he said. "I understand their frustration."

Carla Roberts, who lives off of Mosswood Drive, said, "It's been a long time coming."

"It hurts our property values and is dangerous for our children," she said. "We just want to get something done."

In August 2001, four weeks after the blaze, the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's office ruled it an accidental fire, caused by an electrical malfunction.